Broncos waive CB Perrish Cox

It’s rare that a player who starts nine games as a rookie is released prior to his second season. Cox, though, struggled throughout training camp and in the preseason. The final decision was made after he played poorly in the Broncos’ final preseason game Thursday at Arizona. Cox did not make the final 53-man roster even though another second-year cornerback, Syd’Quan Thompson, suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the game against Arizona.

Cox’s position with the club appeared to become vulnerable when he was arrested last December by Lone Tree police on two felony sexual assault charges stemming from an incident on Labor Day weekend, 2010. He has pled not guilty to the charges and his case is still pending.

While Cox’s legal trouble could not have helped his position with the team, it was his disappointing performance the past month that led to the Broncos’ decision. Even if cutting Cox was a football decision, the move does help the Broncos sell their message that character counts when they evaluate players.

That’s the price you pay when you think with your zipper instead of your head.

Ovolacto

Cox’s being cut doesn’t have as much to do with his off-the-field antics as it does with his on-the-field inadequacies. He just isn’t learning to play corner like a pro. When he was a rookie, and got beat, he’s tackle the guy, even though he was in decent position, and just needed to turn around in an effort to play the ball to avoid the penalty. He did that starting last year, and he learned nothing since. This year, even on the second team against second string players, he was still doing the same without giving any hint of having learned a thing. He may have the size, and the speed, but he obviously lacks the intelligence to understand, or the talent to make the play without bringing on the flag. I wish him the best of luck in whatever else he chooses to do. He is now officially another wasted draft pick.

Nicki Jhabvala is a Broncos beat writer for The Denver Post. She was previously the digital news editor for sports. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor. She also spent two years as a home page editor at the New York Times.